Matthew at 9 Months

Cuteness.

 Height: 2' 6" (92nd percentile)

Weight: 22 lbs 2 oz (84th percentile)

Head size: 48.3 cm (99th percentile)

He's officially bigger and taller than Clara was at the same age, about which I'm pleased. Our kids definitely got the tall gene, and it didn't come from me!

What he can do: Well, upon turning 9 months, he wasn't doing much at all in terms of moving. But after passing that mile marker, he decided he was ready to go! And since he was good and ready, he proceeded to hit several milestones in quick succession, which was thrilling but left me saying a resounding "WHAT?!"

You see, in my mind Matthew wasn't supposed to crawl before walking, and not walk until about 14+ months. He was my chill, content, relaxed, still-natured, easy baby. He sat where I put him and played with the toys in his reach, which I was QUITE okay with. Easy, relaxing, calm.

Now suddenly, all at once, he's sitting himself up, rolling over (he had never rolled off his back before 9 months), lunging onto his belly, CRAWLING (up to five steps), pulling up to his knees, play while standing, and scooting backwards all over the place, including under couches, beds and chairs where he disappears totally and gets rather mad.

In addition to that he's now yelling, making noises, screaming excited screams, eating table food, drinking from a sippy cup (with a little help), clapping, giving a high five on command, and babbling on command... all more or less new in the last 3 weeks.

Self feeding! It makes life a little easier & messier.

What he likes: Sleeping, ice cream, sausage, swinging, sharing experiences with Clara (they laugh and giggle together... ahhh! so cute!), Itsy Bitsy Spider, music, exploring new things, and being tossed around.

Sleep: He goes down easily and either wakes up at 5 to nurse or sleeps straight through and gets up at 7 for the day. He naps twice, and I often wake him up after 2-3 hours of sleep to keep him on schedule. He loves to nap!

Other information: Matthew is his own man. He's a unique little guy, such a boy and yet so sweet. I see his boy-ness come out in the bath tub. When I put him in he splashes and squeals like crazy until I take him out. I'm wet, the floor is wet, it's a mess. Clara never did that. She was much more likely to sit with her toys, turning them over carefully in her hands.

I love seeing their differences. :) Matthew, Matthew, what a guy. Oh how I love him.

Ha ha! He does have some opinions. He makes this face well before making any sounds though. SO funny.

Little Orator

Clara is turning in to quite the little orator.

From the back seat of the car we hear, "Talk to me! Mom. Dad. Will you please talk to me?" almost any time we drive. It's rather difficult to get a quality conversation in, because Clara is in the back seat dying to be involved most of the time.

Besides that, I pretty much have no need to say anything anymore. Clara knows the script for everything we do, and she's happy to say everyone's lines.

For example: "Mom, I pooped in my pants... That's ok! But we do not poop in our pants. You have to poop on the potty. Let's get the wipes. I have to clean you up. Ok!" (Meanwhile I'm silently fuming and glad she's filled in my script with gracious words because I'm feeling frustrated at present moment.)

Her latest "game" is one where she gathers everyone together in the living room and then stands on the ottoman and "talks to us." With lots of smacking sounds, she proceeds to inform us that she will be telling a Bible story, although she rarely gets to the actual story but instead has more fun repeatedly emphasizing and checking to make sure we know our job is to listen to her. Or she just sings "Baa, Baa Black Sheep."

Her speech is above average for her age. She puts together sentences in a thorough manner. This weekend while driving home from church, she piped up, "My dad is very special to me." It was sweet and surprising. I didn't know she could put that thought together on her own. It still makes me chuckle.

Instead of saying a simple "thank you," she prefers, "Mom, thank you for getting me my pink coconut socks" (aka: polka dot socks).

She's also memorized three Bible verses. Not to mention about 87 Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes, a favorite book of hers.

She's good company. We have fun. :)  Clara brings much joy and conversation into my daily life, which I love!

Silliness